Unit 1: Enhancing Geography Skills

This unit reviews and reinforces basic geography skills needed to comprehend and interpret maps, charts, diagrams, and graphs students will encounter in their study of World Geography. Students will apply information from maps, geographic tools, and technologies that answer questions about the physical and human geography of the world. Students understand that a variety of map skills are required to analyze and interpret geographic information. Students learn to analyze, interpret, and apply information found on charts, diagrams, and graphs representing real world situations. Students understand how to apply information gathered from geographic tools and technologies.

GLEs and CCSS

Unit 1 Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs) and ELA Common Core State Standards (CCSS) The World in Spatial Terms and Uses of Geography WG.1.1 Describe the impact of technology on the study of geography and gather geographic information using technological tools. WG.1.2 Explain Earth’s grid system, using latitude and longitude to locate key places and answer geographic questions about that place. WG.1.3 Compare and contrast various types of maps and map projections and evaluate distortions associated with each map projection. WG.1.4 Use geographic representations to locate the world’s continents, major landforms, major bodies of water and major countries and to solve geographic problems.Physical Systems WG.2.1 Describe and categorize elements of the natural environment as belonging to one of four components of Earth’s physical systems: atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, or hydrosphere WG.2.4 Explain and give examples of natural and human processes that shape Earth’s surface and identify specific locations where these processes occur.Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies 6–12 RH.9-10.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text. RH.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social studies RH.9-10.5 Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation or analysis.Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies 6-12 WHST.9-10.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Guiding Questions

1. Can students identify and use the map elements (map title, compass rose, scale, legend, date, and author) to interpret data on a given map? 2. Can students describe current technology that is used to gather geographic information? 3. Can students describe how location influences climate, resources, human settlement and activities? 4. Can students list factors that influence the climate of a region? 5. Can students identify various types of maps and their uses? 6. Can students explain the effects of both natural and human processes on Earth? 7. Can students analyze, interpret, and apply information found on charts, diagrams, and graphs to explain geographic information? 8. Can students identify and explain the four components of Earth’s physical systems?